Will the Orioles be a player for a key free agent outfielder?

The Orioles need an outfielder and three key free agents that play outfield are still on the board: Justin Upton, Alex Gordon and Yoenis Cespedes.

The Orioles must, at a minimum, be monitoring their markets if not doing more. MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported Tuesday that the Orioles and White Sox are emerging as favorites "for now" to sign Cespedes.

The 30-year-old Cespedes has one edge over the other two outfielders. A team signing him would not have to give up a draft pick. He is also coming off a strong 2015 season, one where he hit .291/.328/.542 with 42 doubles, six triples, 35 homers and 105 RBIs. He has a big arm in left field.

I digress here, but an outfield of Cespedes, Adam Jones and Dariel Alvarez would feature three of the best outfield arms in the game.

Cespedes finished 13th in the National League MVP vote last year and won a Gold Glove for his play with the Tigers in the American League. He finished third in the majors in extra-base hits (83), sixth in doubles, ninth in runs (101), tied for ninth in RBIs and 10th in slugging. From Aug. 1 to the end of the year, his 17 homers tied for sixth in the majors.

But should we consider it a red flag that Cespedes has been traded each of the past two seasons at the trade deadline? How about the fact that his 2015 OPS of .870 far exceeded his OPS output from 2014 (.751) and 2013 (.737)? Also, while the O's bigger need seems to be right field, Cespedes has not played there in the major leagues.

Over his career, Cespedes, a right-handed batter, actually hits better against right-handed pitching. There was a big split difference in 2015 when he batted .223/.297/.439 versus lefties and .310/.338/.571 against right-handed pitchers. The splits are more even than that over his career however.

Here are career slash lines for all three players:
* Cespedes: .271/.319/.486
* Upton: .271/.352/.473
* Gordon: .269/.348/.435

All three have reasons to put them at the top of this list. Gordon is the most accomplished defender. Cespedes has the most power. Upton, who turns 28 in February, is the youngest.

In MLBTradeRumors.com's November ranking of the top 50 free agents, four outfielders were in the top nine and only one (Jason Heyward, No. 2) has signed. Upton was ranked No. 4, Cespedes No. 6 and Gordon No. 9.

If the Orioles are truly in the hunt for one or all three of these players, there are many factors to consider. Contract length and dollars will always be pretty much at the top of that list. Gordon could be least expensive of the three. Does that mean he would provide the most potential value?